Abstract:
Satellite Laser Ranging precisely measures laser signals bounced off reflectors mounted on satellites. The satellite orbit and timing of the signal is very precise. This method can fix the position of an Earth station absolutely as well as relative to another station. Available analyzed SLR data includes baseline data, Earth rotation, length of day, polar motion, ... position coordinates of each station, and velocity of each station in mm/year. Baseline data may be particularly useful to non-specialists or those engaged in multi- disciplinary studies. Baseline data provides the measured distance (in mm) between any pair of SLR stations around the globe and the change in that distance (velocity in mm/year) over a time period.

From this data, information can be derived about the velocity of a tectonic plate, deformation of a plate (different portions of a plate may have different velocities), and possibly even build-up of strain along a fault.